RCNI Press Release 20 November 2006
We would need good reasons for lowering the age of consent - we have heard none
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today called for the Joint Committee on Child Protection not to recommend lowering the age of consent.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said, ‘while no sound arguments have been put forward to lower the age of consent, nonetheless pressure has been mounting to lower the age of consent. The RCNI learnt today that the committee have almost reached a consensus on lowering the age of consent. This would be a backward step.
Some of the rationales that have come forward through the media have been that it should be lowered to be the same as the age of consent to medical procedures. But how can consent to a potentially curative procedure be compared to consent to young sex? Young people 16 and upward can only consent to medical procedures that are expected to be good for them. Are we now to understand the committee feels that ever younger teenage sex is good for young people's health? If this is so it would be a belief held contrary to all the evidence unearthed in the recent Crisis Pregnancy Agency's Irish study of sexual health and relationships (with over 7,000 people surveyed). This survey found that the young people experiencing first sex before the age of 17 were almost 70% more likely to experience a crisis pregnancy and three times more likely to report experiencing an STI.
Another argument we have heard is that 16 is in line with international practice. This is simply not a good argument. Even is every country in the world had 16 why would this make it appropriate for us? If there is to be some sort of European harmonisation down the road why would that be in a downward direction to the lowest common denominator (Holland 12, Spain 13) and not upward to 17?
We call on the committee members to pay attention to the evidence, the submissions they received and to teenagers themselves in the recent consultation with them and to base their decisions on those. We are confident if they do they will not recommend lowering the age of consent.’
Notes:
Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said, ‘while no sound arguments have been put forward to lower the age of consent, nonetheless pressure has been mounting to lower the age of consent. The RCNI learnt today that the committee have almost reached a consensus on lowering the age of consent. This would be a backward step.
Some of the rationales that have come forward through the media have been that it should be lowered to be the same as the age of consent to medical procedures. But how can consent to a potentially curative procedure be compared to consent to young sex? Young people 16 and upward can only consent to medical procedures that are expected to be good for them. Are we now to understand the committee feels that ever younger teenage sex is good for young people's health? If this is so it would be a belief held contrary to all the evidence unearthed in the recent Crisis Pregnancy Agency's Irish study of sexual health and relationships (with over 7,000 people surveyed). This survey found that the young people experiencing first sex before the age of 17 were almost 70% more likely to experience a crisis pregnancy and three times more likely to report experiencing an STI.
Another argument we have heard is that 16 is in line with international practice. This is simply not a good argument. Even is every country in the world had 16 why would this make it appropriate for us? If there is to be some sort of European harmonisation down the road why would that be in a downward direction to the lowest common denominator (Holland 12, Spain 13) and not upward to 17?
We call on the committee members to pay attention to the evidence, the submissions they received and to teenagers themselves in the recent consultation with them and to base their decisions on those. We are confident if they do they will not recommend lowering the age of consent.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear, RCNI Policy and Communications Co-ordinator
087 2196447
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For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear, RCNI Policy and Communications Co-ordinator
087 2196447
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Rape Crisis Network Ireland, The Halls, Quay Street, Galway, Ireland
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
091 563676
091 563677
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
